Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Lemon bars

I’ve been planning to make these lemon bars for months, but due to some stupid dietary restrictions (no soy products and no fruit) I wasn’t able to do it before. Last week, when I heard I was allowed to eat soy and fruits again, I was ecstatic! Never knew life would be so horrible without them! So since last week I’ve been baking non-stop to try out all the recipes I wasn’t able eat before...These lemon bars where nr. 1 on the list and absolutely worth the waiting!

For the shortbread base:

280 gram spelt flour

225 gram margarine

80 gram icing sugar

1 tsp salt

For the topping:

35 gram flour

350 gram sugar

Juice of 2 lemons

Zest of 1 lemon

1 tsp baking powder

4 eggs

Icing sugar for dusting

Preheat the oven to 180°C.

Grease a 25cm square baking tin and line with baking paper.

Put all the ingredients for the shortbread base in a food processor and blitz until the mixture just comes together in a ball. Be careful to not over mix or the dough will be too sticky. Press the dough into the tin and bake 20 to 25 minutes, until golden. Remove and let cool slightly. Leave the oven on.

Meanwhile prepare the topping. Whisk together the eggs, sugar and lemon juice, then whisk in the flour and baking powder. Mix well and make sure there are no lumps in the batter. Add the lemon zest.

Pour the mixture over the shortbread base and bake until set, about 15 to 20 minutes

When is has cooled completely, loosen the edges with a knife and remove from the tin. Dust with icing sugar and cut into 12 bars.